Tree Identification Lab

One of our last labs involved going on a nature tour around campus and learning how to identify all different species of trees, bushes, and shrubs. Honestly, I had never noticed the immense amount of plant life that occupied Mercer's campus until this lab. I find it extremely interesting that such a large variety of plants dwell at Mercer. Mercer contains plant species from all over the globe, not just native to Macon. Of all the species that I learned to identify, I managed to select a few favorites.

Crepe Myrtle outside of the Science and Engineering Building

The first tree that I am chosing to put in my blog is the Crepe Myrtle. The scientific name of which is Lagerstroemia species. I've always liked Crepe Myrtles because my family has had them in our yard, but after walking around campus I can name some identifiers. Crepe Myrtles have multiple trunks and are typically between 10 and 30 feet tall. The tree can have flowers in either red, pink, or white, and vary between different shades of these colors. They flower during the summer. Also, the trees survive well in dry weather, making Georgia an ideal location for Crepe Myrtles.



Yoshino Cherry outside of Tarver Library

 Another tree that I really liked was the Yoshino Cherry, or Prunus yedoensis. These trees will grow quickly to 20 feet tall and over a lifetime reach 35 to 45 feet and can contain white or pink flowers. They are actually known for being planted near Kwanza Cherry trees for Cherry Blossom Festivals. Yoshino Cherry trees have thin bark and can be easily damaged. They grow in the full sun, making them another tree well adapted to Georgia climate.

Larch located on the North Quad

A final tree that I want to put into my blog is the Larch, or Larix species. I thought this tree was very interesting to look at. These trees from from 20 to 45 feet tall and are the dominant plants of Borreal forests in Russia and Canada. Larch trees will begin losing their leaves in early fall, which is why the picture I took on the North Quad shows are Larch tree beginning to thin. Their leaves are like clusters of needles, and they also have small cones and the North, and larger cones in the South.

Deep Sea, Deep Secrets

In our last lab before Fall Break, we watched a movie called "Deep Sea, Deep Secrets." This movie was about the hydrothermal vents located on the Mid-Ocean Ridge. All of the organisms that dwell at this level survive using the process chemosynthesis. This process works without sunlight since these environments are located too deep underwater for sunlight to penetrate. In chemosynthesis, energy is gathered from inorganic chemicals. This is the basis for the survival of the environment’s bacteria. From the bacteria, a food chain begins. Another characteristic of the hydrothermal vents is that they are connected by an undersea highway. Also, they are chimney-like structures that have the capability of erupting. There is a specific location that has been assigned the study ground of hydrothermal vents, which is called 9 North. In 9 North, a group of scientists once witnessed an eruption and claimed that the hydrothermal vents are like a “living laboratory.” Another question that was raised by scientists about this environment is about the organisms that thrive there. It appears that the organisms went through adaptations in order to survive on the hydrothermal vents such as dealing with the different water temperature. I have always found the ocean and its inhabitants extremely interesting; mostly because of the mystery that surrounds it. The ocean is huge and while we know a lot about its processes and organisms, there is still so much to learn. Before watching this video I had never really heard of the hydrothermal vents, but now I am glad that I have. This unique community has found its own ways to survive.



Image of a hydrothermal vent- for more information this is a great website to look at!

Hydrothermal Vents